Florence Champagne is an accomplished author, artist, and advocate for the underserved. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Howard University. As an advocate, she has served as the Director of Social Services at nursing homes in the Washington DC area, as well as working in Public Housing, with Senior Citizens, and individuals with mental disabilities. Currently she provides constituent services for the United States House of Representatives for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, covering most of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties.

She has demonstrated contributions to an organization’s success through bridging the gap of government, community and public service as she makes a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged and underserved. She has legislative and Capital Hill experience, and maintains established relationships with various government agencies to effectively service the community. Her background includes collaborations with congressional staff, elected and appointed officials, agency administrators at the federal, state, and county levels such as USCIS, The Department of Veterans Affairs, just to name a few.

In addition to her advocacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, Florence also advocates for women with heart disease. She is a sought after speaker for health fairs, churches, employers, and health care administrators. She holds a top security clearance, and has a pushed book entitled “Inez’s Granddaughter”. As an artist, her works have shown throughout the Washington, DC area. Her current body of work is exhibited at Lybensons Gallery in Beaufort, SC.

When she visited Conversations, she discussed here book, based on her own Family. Inez’s Grand Daughter is available on Amazon as well as other book sites. Connect with Florence Champagne on Facebook.

It is always a pleasure to talk with Sir Charles Cary. He always has some knowledge and enlightenment to share with us. October 31st was no exception.

Mr. Cary has been an motivational speaker and coach for quite awhile. He speaks openly and honestly about his pass and all he has overcome. He is creative and artistic, having written and recorded several albums and even trying his hand at acting and with three best sellers under his belt, we say he is a very well rounded individual

For his latest project, he delves into the area of Reality TV, though certainly not your usual Reality TV. The Keynote definitely is coming from a positive place. We would expect nothing less if Sir Charles is involved. The show has 2 seasons completed and has been shopped to the networks. It has gotten great reviews but Networks want to change the show. Why you may ask, perhaps you have an educated guess based on what happens on most Reality shows. It is too positive, there is no drama! Well the team has decided to go another way and use crowdfunding to get the show aired.

Listen to the interview to find out more and get some discount codes to use for purchases from Sir Charles Cary’s website, where you will find some great gifts and stocking stuffers of a positive nature. Thanks to Sir Charles for always being true to himself. As he says, “You can’t keep it if your not willing to give it away.” Check out The Keynote Campaign for more information about the project, donors perks and more.

Every so often you someone who unwittingly inspires you, just by being themselves. Christine Jackson is that type of person. It wasn’t known how much she’s been through at the time of our connecting but as we have come to know, everyone has a story.

Before and After

Christine’s is one of overcoming. When her son was diagnosed with Autism at 18 months, Christine went into a downward spiral. Although she was not formally diagnosed, she was certainly suffering from depression. She was petite but says she has never been “skinny” but doing that time she gain in excess of 350 pounds and ended up in a wheelchair because she had destroyed the cartilage in her knees.

Before and After

Having thrown herself into the world of Autism and being an advocate for her son, she let her health go and she was informed by doctors that she was a time bomb for a stoke or a heart attack. She was told she would probably die young. Not being able to walk and take care of her son, she knew she had to do something.

Christine and Son Delvin

Since 2011, she changed her mindset by losing weight, to be able to get out of the wheelchair and take care of her son. She is now 150+ pounds lighter. Her change was not just physical, but mental and spiritual too. This where the real journey began. Today she has her own PR firm and is the President of Revolution Entertainment Group LLC. Please take a listen to the inspiring interview and connect with her on Facebook

Another year, another visit from one of our favorite Indie Artist, Kroshet.

He he is the hardest working Artist we know. He shares with us select tracks from his most recent project, Street Soul.Street Soul, is on K&J Records & Koffee’s Mellow Groove out of Los Angeles, California. Kroshet says he has worked with some great producers on this project. Folks like Tizone, Big Mike, Inzane Beats from Germany, Lil Tray Beatz and , Street Track Pros.

All we know is that anytime Kroshet visits there will lots of fun and laughter. So have a listen to the “Conversation”, enjoy the music and then, go and buy it. Connect with Kroshet on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

I have a talented friend who has an Indie Record Label called Cirius Entertainment Group. When Markkii Notes contacted me about Ms. Twalla Jaye, I fell in love with her voice and had to book her on Conversations. I must say, she is as real and down to earth as she sounded singing Fortify Me, a gospel song and her first single release.

Twalla Jaye hails from Hopkins, South Carolina where she sang in her church choir, the church where her grandfather, presided. She began performing backup vocals professionally at 14 years old. Ultimately,she wants to reach more than just her fellow Christians and gospel fans; She wants her gift to be heard and spread through the masses.

walla singing in the church choir afforded her the opportunity to perform at the McDonalds Series in 2011, at the Township Auditorium in Columbia SC, where her choir was chosen out of a group of over thirty choirs to perform with Dr. Paul Morton. She has also had the opportunity to work with Blanche Mcallister Dykes of the ‘Tri City Singers’. Twalla is no stranger to the stage or performing solo. She has also performed at ‘Family Fest 2011’, Jazz Fest 2011, and the Annual McDonalds Choir Showcase 2011. Twalla currently showcases her skills weekly as the director of the Grace Church Choir.

When she visited Conversations, she shared the inspiration for the song, Stop Playing Games, she is truly a woman reborn and we like her. We think you will too. Take a listen to the interview and then go buy her music, you really need to have it in your collection.

Learning to play flute at the tender age of seven, the Houston native’s formative years found her firmly rooted in many musical traditions, including classical, Broadway musicals, soul, gospel, 80’s rock, and opera. Some of her mentors included world-renowned flutists Hubert Laws and Marina Piccinini. Having graduated from Prairie View A&M University and The Peabody Conservatory of Music, Delandria’s impeccable ability earned her numerous awards including top prize at the International Association of Jazz Educators’ Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Competition in 2005, resulting in a European tour.

Delandria’s love of music, education, and passion for success led her to develop the Kingdom Flute Works Summer Camp, “The Global Presents” ensemble, and a groundbreaking trio of recordings in 2010- Kingdom Goes Classical, Be Happy, and the Be Opened EP. Her latest project “Be Opened”, is a hip hop (expression) EP of her soon to be released LP, entitled, “Ephphatha”. Ephphatha will be a collaboration with some of today’s major hip hop artists, and represents Delandria’s openness to creativity, freedom of spirituality, and rebirth of original music. Along with “Kingdom Flute Works”, Delandria teaches Jazz & Classical Flute instruction in the Preparatory Department of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. In addition to teaching and her own recordings, Delandria has toured, recorded, and performed with numerous musical greats such as: Jazz legends Billy Harper and Hubert Laws, and a number of Gospel artists such as; Tye Tribbett, Fertile Ground, Mary Mary, Israel & New Breed, and Judith Christie McAllister.

It was pleasure speaking with and getting to know a bit about this phenomenal woman. Have a listen to the interview and let me know if you agree. You can her music to your collection here.

I have known Glenn Gordon for a few years now. We met when he joined my social network Internet Marketers Network on the Ning platform. He was the first talented musical artists to join us there. After him there were several that joined and thus led me to start a Music hour on Conversations which was then on Blogtalk Radio.

Through the years we have become the best of friends, actually, more like family. He is the big brother I never had. Thus, it gives me pride to see him come into his own. You may know that he is an Inventor, and and Author, but his passion is MUSIC.

His Latest Release, Exposures, is being well received. So well, in fact, that he will soon be opening for Legendary, Archie Bell.

During the interview, we got to speak with promoter Debbie Dixon and the man himself, Archie Bell. Archie was most complementary to Glenn.

Have a listen and hear how surprised GG was, then go get your copy of Exposures. Connect with Glen on his website or Facebook so you can keep up with what he and the Band are doing.